Having a MES Center of Excellence (CoE) is essential for companies with multiple production sites that wish to implement an MES solution like Mapex. The goal is to centralize, optimize, and standardize the management and use of this software.
What is a MES Center of Excellence?
A MES Center of Excellence (CoE) is a dedicated corporate entity focused on the implementation, standardization, and optimization of MES across all production sites within an industrial company.
It acts as a central hub of knowledge and expertise, integrating specialists in manufacturing, technology, data analysis, and operations management. Its primary purpose is to harmonize processes and leverage economies of scale to optimize operations throughout the organization, ensuring consistency and coherence in production.
Key functions of a MES CoE
The MES Center of Excellence determines which aspects of the MES are centrally managed and which are the responsibility of each site, aiming to align the implementation and deployment of the solution with the company’s strategic objectives.
The CoE defines essential principles, such as naming conventions, object attributes, and KPI calculations, and compiles and shares best practices to optimize operations across all facilities.
It also coordinates the planning and development of new MES versions, considering the constraints and priorities of each site, and oversees the implementation of updates, working alongside local teams and developing training materials.
Characteristics of a MES Center of Excellence
Here are some of the main characteristics of a MES Center of Excellence:
Centralized expertise
A CoE brings together a multidisciplinary team with technical and operational expertise to establish a unified approach to implementing and managing the system, including MES experts, process engineers, data analysts, IT, and cybersecurity professionals.
Establishment of best practices
This organization develops standardized methodologies for integrating MES with other systems, such as ERP, facilitating change management and continuous user training.
Governance and compliance
A MES Center of Excellence establishes data management policies and regulatory compliance guidelines, ensuring traceability and quality management across processes.
Continuous innovation
Monitoring technology trends to improve processes and implement innovative solutions is also the CoE’s responsibility, allowing the company to optimize key KPIs across all production sites.
Benefits of a MES Center of excellence
For industrial companies with multiple production sites seeking to implement an MES system, establishing a CoE ensures consistent use of the software across all facilities, minimizing errors and improving decision-making and resource allocation.
Thanks to process standardization, companies can adapt their operations to market changes and identify areas for improvement more quickly and effectively.
This structure not only optimizes the MES performance but also enhances overall efficiency and competitiveness, enabling teams at each site to maximize shared experiences and best practices.
How to implement a MES CoE in your company
Establishing a MES Center of Excellence requires a clear vision aligned with the company’s digital strategy, well-defined KPIs, and a focus on continuous team training. Integrating the MES with other systems, such as ERP, is essential to avoid isolation and maximize its impact.
Constant feedback between the CoE and operational areas is crucial to identifying areas for improvement and adapting to change, ensuring a flexible approach and effective implementation of new technologies and solutions.
For more information on how we help industrial companies implement our MES solution across different production sites, contact us.
